Spending as if money grows on trees! Manchester United's debt rises to an eye-watering $575 million

Whenever Manchester United win, everything is rosy at Old Trafford. But every bad result is like a wake-up call for the Red Devils' fans who are reminded their club is running towards the abyss. The Europa League loss to Real Sociedad had the same effect.

Suddenly, United fans have opened their eyes to reports of the latest accounts revealing that the club's net debt has risen 11.8% from a year ago. The accounts for the three-month period ending 31 March show net debt now stands at $575 million, up from $513 million. And there are no signs of that trend changing anytime soon. Since the end of March, United failed to qualify for the Champions League, the competition with the largest prize fund, changed managers and spent $264.36 million to sign new players Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Martin Dubravka.

United saw broadcast income fall by 12% from the previous year due to playing eight fewer games than the 2020/21 season. At the same time, the club's wage bill jumped 19.5% and now stands at £118 million, mostly due to the investment in the playing squad, which saw the signings of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo last year. Their accountants must be sweating.

Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville believes the Glazers need to acquire a partner to help fund the club or risk loading a lot more debt onto the club. The former defender, who now works in the media, is one of the most outspoken critics of the Glazers' regime. In recent weeks, there have been increasing calls for the American-based family to sell up. Protests were held ahead of the clashes with Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Old Trafford, and anti-Glazer chants have been sung at every game.

Neville's biggest criticisms of the Glazers recently has been the lack of investment committed to modernising Old Trafford. It has fallen behind its Premier League rivals in recent years and is in desperate need of renovating — something that has been planned for.

"If they leave that stadium for another three or four years... to do anything proper with that stadium, it's a three to five year process. For a renovation they need planning permission for it; it will take 12 months to get it all sorted, get it through the fans then it will take another couple of years to do it. It will take a major renovation, or they've got to do a rebuild of some kind. They have committed to that, they could break the commitment."

So, United lost on Thursday night and there is a lot of noise about the club's problems. They will have to address their issues now. Or they'll just buy a bit more peace and quiet with another victory. There is always a new match coming - and Glazers are counting on it.